Baltimore's Brandon Lee is more than meets the eye. The 41-year-old artist always had a knack for being creative."I was told that I was as young as 3 or 4 years old. I got in trouble by my grandfather for drawing on the wall. No other child in the house could draw like I did. That was one of my first beatings," Lee said jokingly.A variety of emotions and experiences inspire Lee's creativity -- pain, love, music, everyday experiences and different situations he has encountered."I turn many of my life experiences into art, poetry and paintings. Art is like escapism for me. When I'm in my element, it takes me to a place that I would not mind not returning from," Lee said.His creativity transcends various media."I paint, draw, create computer graphics. I design clothing, logos, silk-screen printing and write lyrics and poetry now and then. I use to want to be a hip-hop artist," Lee explained. "My mind is filled with ideas and I just release them at the craziest times. I may wake up at 3 a.m. and paint or create a design to print later that day."Among his recent work is a T-shirt design inspired by Obama's re-election and Ravens-inspired gear."A lot of my T-shirts designs are sought after and I think that's mostly because I have no problem creating designs and phrases that depict what some feel, but are too afraid to say," Lee said. "I have done a few paintings that I had to make prints of because many customers wanted the same painting. I create a lot of pieces that symbolize family structure and the love and presence of a father in the life of a child or family."It was hard, Lee said, to pick the most creative piece of work he has done."I'll have to say anything that I may do that has an abstract feel or look to it because I feel that I put too much thought into pieces like them because I'm more into painting figures and images than abstract art and it took me a while to really appreciate that art form," he said.But inspiration came when Lee said he was asked to create a 5 feet by 3 feet section custom piece to accent a friend's living room furniture and that's part of what makes Lee Be More, is his ability inspire others to be more creative. He had opportunity to do so when he worked with youth in Baltimore City schools."My first experience was being a part of an after-school program called the Entrepreneur Training University, which was held in a local high school where my role was to teach the youth about silkscreen printing, teach them the basics of printing T-shirts and open their creative minds in order to get them to reach the goal of creating their own T-shirt designs to sell," Lee said.His work with children did not end there. Lee continued work with the school system as an intervention specialist mentoring youth and as a group home counselor for several years. Though the experience was challenging, he said "I loved every day of it. They became my little brothers. I grew with them. They also help me become a better me."Growing up in rough streets of Baltimore was the backdrop for this Be More artist who decided to turn life's negatives into creativity."I grew up in a rough neighborhood and have seen and got into my share of trouble all over Baltimore. It came a time in my life where I (saw) youth looked up to me for whatever reasons and I felt that I can make a difference in some way and maybe help change the mindset of a child from walking down the dark paths that I have walked down," Lee said.Opportunity came to Lee through his high school art teacher, Mr. Chenal Alford, who Lee said was also part-owner of a group home facility where he worked in the after-school program."Regardless of the trouble that I got myself into, Mr. Alford never gave up on me. He always saw some good in me even times when I didn't see it in myself," Lee said.The impact Alford had on Lee was something he said he cherished and hoped to use to empower youth to Be More."I feel that we need to teach them to become more business-minded than worker bees. I feel more schools should lean towards becoming trade schools, teach the youth crafts, and teach them how to harness the skills and talents that they possess. Basic academics are great, but we need to offer them a bit more to engulf themselves in, more to look for than go to school, get a degree and find a job. (We need) time to teach them how to create their own opportunities. Show them that it's more to live for, their dreams can become realities and there's so much more in life than hanging in these dangerous streets," Lee said.Lee was able to marry his love of art to his work with youth. He took proceeds from his personally designed T-shirts and donated it to help revitalize his alma mater's football field -- Carver Vocational-Technical High School. He was also recognized by the Baltimore City School Police Department for his role in keeping kids safe and involved.Lee said he is a "Soul B-Leeva" or "Soul Believer" encouraging others, "Even in your darkest days, there's a ray of hope. Learn from your journeys. Tell your story. You'll never know who you may motivate to change their path for the better."Five years from now, Lee hopes to accomplish several goals while still keeping connected to his mission to help those to whom he gravitates most. He said he wants to see his printing company grow."I plan to get a facility, not only run my business, but start a program where (we) recruit the youth from several schools and teach them how to screen print and to turn it into a business. I also plan to go full throttle with my Easier Said Than Done or ESTD project. My mission is to encourage fathers through group sessions and events from broken and failed relationships to gravitate more to their children, especially their daughters. Focus on truly raising them and teaching them what they really need to learn in order to break the chains and the negative cycle that many of us experienced in our lives and relationships," Lee said.In the meantime, after a Ravens win and their chance at a Vince Lombardi Trophy, Lee hopes he can make connection with Ray Lewis and offer him a parting gift, a hand-painted original drawing.Reach Lee through his e-mail at bleecasso@gmail.com, on Facebook at Brandon (Bleecasso) Lee, Twitter handle @bleecasso or visit www.whatitbleelike.com.

BALTIMORE —

Baltimore's Brandon Lee is more than meets the eye. The 41-year-old artist always had a knack for being creative.

"I was told that I was as young as 3 or 4 years old. I got in trouble by my grandfather for drawing on the wall. No other child in the house could draw like I did. That was one of my first beatings," Lee said jokingly.

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A variety of emotions and experiences inspire Lee's creativity -- pain, love, music, everyday experiences and different situations he has encountered.

"I turn many of my life experiences into art, poetry and paintings. Art is like escapism for me. When I'm in my element, it takes me to a place that I would not mind not returning from," Lee said.

His creativity transcends various media.

"I paint, draw, create computer graphics. I design clothing, logos, silk-screen printing and write lyrics and poetry now and then. I use to want to be a hip-hop artist," Lee explained. "My mind is filled with ideas and I just release them at the craziest times. I may wake up at 3 a.m. and paint or create a design to print later that day."

Among his recent work is a T-shirt design inspired by Obama's re-election and Ravens-inspired gear.

"A lot of my T-shirts designs are sought after and I think that's mostly because I have no problem creating designs and phrases that depict what some feel, but are too afraid to say," Lee said. "I have done a few paintings that I had to make prints of because many customers wanted the same painting. I create a lot of pieces that symbolize family structure and the love and presence of a father in the life of a child or family."

It was hard, Lee said, to pick the most creative piece of work he has done.

"I'll have to say anything that I may do that has an abstract feel or look to it because I feel that I put too much thought into pieces like them because I'm more into painting figures and images than abstract art and it took me a while to really appreciate that art form," he said.

But inspiration came when Lee said he was asked to create a 5 feet by 3 feet section custom piece to accent a friend's living room furniture and that's part of what makes Lee Be More, is his ability inspire others to be more creative. He had opportunity to do so when he worked with youth in Baltimore City schools.

"My first experience was being a part of an after-school program called the Entrepreneur Training University, which was held in a local high school where my role was to teach the youth about silkscreen printing, teach them the basics of printing T-shirts and open their creative minds in order to get them to reach the goal of creating their own T-shirt designs to sell," Lee said.

His work with children did not end there. Lee continued work with the school system as an intervention specialist mentoring youth and as a group home counselor for several years. Though the experience was challenging, he said "I loved every day of it. They became my little brothers. I grew with them. They also help me become a better me."

Growing up in rough streets of Baltimore was the backdrop for this Be More artist who decided to turn life's negatives into creativity.

"I grew up in a rough neighborhood and have seen and got into my share of trouble all over Baltimore. It came a time in my life where I (saw) youth looked up to me for whatever reasons and I felt that I can make a difference in some way and maybe help change the mindset of a child from walking down the dark paths that I have walked down," Lee said.

Opportunity came to Lee through his high school art teacher, Mr. Chenal Alford, who Lee said was also part-owner of a group home facility where he worked in the after-school program.

"Regardless of the trouble that I got myself into, Mr. Alford never gave up on me. He always saw some good in me even times when I didn't see it in myself," Lee said.

The impact Alford had on Lee was something he said he cherished and hoped to use to empower youth to Be More.

"I feel that we need to teach them to become more business-minded than worker bees. I feel more schools should lean towards becoming trade schools, teach the youth crafts, and teach them how to harness the skills and talents that they possess. Basic academics are great, but we need to offer them a bit more to engulf themselves in, more to look for than go to school, get a degree and find a job. (We need) time to teach them how to create their own opportunities. Show them that it's more to live for, their dreams can become realities and there's so much more in life than hanging in these dangerous streets," Lee said.

Lee was able to marry his love of art to his work with youth. He took proceeds from his personally designed T-shirts and donated it to help revitalize his alma mater's football field -- Carver Vocational-Technical High School. He was also recognized by the Baltimore City School Police Department for his role in keeping kids safe and involved.

Lee said he is a "Soul B-Leeva" or "Soul Believer" encouraging others, "Even in your darkest days, there's a ray of hope. Learn from your journeys. Tell your story. You'll never know who you may motivate to change their path for the better."

Five years from now, Lee hopes to accomplish several goals while still keeping connected to his mission to help those to whom he gravitates most. He said he wants to see his printing company grow.

"I plan to get a facility, not only run my business, but start a program where (we) recruit the youth from several schools and teach them how to screen print and to turn it into a business. I also plan to go full throttle with my Easier Said Than Done or ESTD project. My mission is to encourage fathers through group sessions and events from broken and failed relationships to gravitate more to their children, especially their daughters. Focus on truly raising them and teaching them what they really need to learn in order to break the chains and the negative cycle that many of us experienced in our lives and relationships," Lee said.

In the meantime, after a Ravens win and their chance at a Vince Lombardi Trophy, Lee hopes he can make connection with Ray Lewis and offer him a parting gift, a hand-painted original drawing.